COMMUNICATION MODELS A

Theoretical Perspective

Why study the communication
models?

a) as a basis to discover the
mystery of human
communication; and
b) to better conceptualise the
written communication process.
Types of models
Roman Jakobsons Model
Claude Shannons Model
Model based on Uliric Neissers Work
Model based on Micheal Polanyis Work
Claude Shannons model of
communication
Encoding and decoding information is
important

The process of encoding and
decoding is affected by noise

This noise can interfere with
information transmitted

E..g. badly printed text, static

interference of radio
Shannon's model is limited for the
theory of writing in that it overlooks
the motives of both the sender
(writer) and receiver (reader).
People have reasons for writing and
reading; Shannon's model does not
take the reasons into account.

Roman Jakobsons Model

This model explains how written
communication takes place :
code (the language you write in)
writer,
reader,
context,
message
contact (medium of
communication)
represents spoken rather than
written communication
Jakobson's model helps to chart the
purposes of a piece of writing
model is limited in that it doesn't
represent the discovery processes
that writers engage in nor does it
indicate the recursiveness of both
writing and reading

Model Based On Ulric Neissers
Work
Guided by our desires, needs,
ideas, images of the world, etc,
we explore it. Our exploration
produces new information. This
new information affects the
needs, desires, images, etc. with
which we began. Our changed
needs and desires guide a new
round of exploratory activity
which in turn produces new
information
emphasizes the exploratory and
recursive nature of perception
We begin writing motivated by
our current ideas, beliefs,
motives, etc.
As we write, we explore and
discover information.
This new information feeds back
into our starting ideas and
motives, changing or reinforcing
them.
From this point, we can engage
in another round of exploratory
writing.
both writing and reading as
motivated, exploratory, and
recursive
Model Based On Michael Polanyis
Work
emphasizes the active involvement
of the person in the act of knowing.
highlights the importance of the
"tacit dimension," - of the fact that
we know more than we can say and
that we often say more than we
realize.

person discovers meaning in an
experience.
subsequently, the person writes
something (a poem, a novel, an essay, a
letter, a journal entry . . .) that expresses
the meaning found in the experience.
finally, someone reads the text and
discovers meaning in it.
the reader may be the writer himself or
herself; the reader may be a complete
stranger.
the text does not convey the original
experience to the reader.
instead, it conveys meaning to the reader.
the meaning the reader discovers in the
text may not be the meaning intended by
the writer.
All these theories contribute in one
way or another to the development &
importance of communication,
particularly in written
communication.
Summary of Communication
Model Key Ideas
Claude
Shannon
The encoding and decoding of information is
of primary importance.
Roman
Jakobson
The contact is your medium of
communication
Ulric Neisser Perception is exploratory and recursive. We
explore our world or a specific phenomenon
guided by our desires, needs, ideas and
images of the world.
Michael
Polanyi
The meaning that the reader discovers in
the text may not be that is intended by the
writer.
Signs, Symbols and
Abbreviations
important in written communication
the meanings they convey is culture-
bound, however
It is used to represent ideas,
experiences, images, objects,
feelings and concepts

Signs and symbols in written
communication are often used in
emails and SMS
Examples are emoticons and
shorthand notations
Some common emoticons
:-) Basic smiley face; used for humor
and sometimes sarcasm
:-( Basic frowney face; used for
sadness or anger
;-) Half-smiley or winkey face; more
often used for sarcasm
:-/ Wry face; used for wry humor

Shorthand notation
Shorthand
Notation
Meaning
<g> Grin
<hug> Hug
BTW by the way
IMHO in my humble/honest opinion
RTM read the manual (manual here refers to any
documentation)
LOL [I] laughed out loud [at what you wrote]
ROTFL [I am] rolling on the floor laughing [at what you
wrote]
TTFN Ta-ta for now
TIA Thanks in advance